Social Health

Healthy peer interaction and becoming comfortable with oneself in social situations are important milestones in an adolescent’s development. At Paradigm youth rehab centers we are committed to providing opportunities for participants to build strong skills. All activities are therapeutic in nature, with trained staff guiding youth as they participate in groups, community activities, outings and other events. Our goal is to prepare youth to feel comfortable with themselves in social situations, so that they do not resort to using drugs or alcohol to cope with or relate to others.

Social Skills Training Curriculum

As a didactic training tool, Paradigm utilizes social skills curriculum designed specifically for youth. Educational and experiential sessions are conducted regularly as part of the treatment program and cover such topics as:

Learning How to Receive Criticism

Self-Relaxation Techniques

Social Problem Solving Skills

Drug Refusal Skills

How to Disclose Feelings

How to Handle Embarrassing Situations

Avoiding Fights and Solving Arguments

Communication Skills Training

How to Draw Clear Boundaries

Learning New Reactions to Anger

Making Requests and Refusals

How to Make Clear Goal Statements

And others…..

All of these topic discussions are designed specifically to address situations and experiences that research has shown to be related to relapse in young people. By preventatively addressing these issues before our youth experience these situations in the real world, we significantly decrease their likelihood of relapse. Learn more about the Social Skills Curriculum here.

The Twelve Steps

One helpful option as we strive toward greater Social Health can be found in the 12-step community. Paradigm incorporates the components of the 12 steps throughout its treatment program. The self-help aspects of the 12 steps are utilized to assist clients in developing internal motivation for sobriety and to develop new behaviors. Recovery support groups offer the kind of environment that encourages youth to share their experiences, strengths and hope with others. The recovery community can prove invaluable as a support system long after participants have left treatment. Paradigm also utilizes step work as one component of its curriculum as well as local youth recovery related community meetings, panels and social gatherings. Read more about the 12-Step program through Paradigm here.

Sober-Social Recreational Programming Activities in the Community

Some of the activities that youth participate in at Paradigm are designed to familiarize participants with new and productive ways to utilize their personal time. These sober activities are conducted both on and off-site and afford youth opportunities to develop new healthy interests and relationship skills to replace their drug use.